Miles Davis was a jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who is widely considered one of the most influential and innovative musicians of the 20th century. He was born in Alton, Illinois, but grew up in East St. Louis, Missouri, where he learned to play the trumpet and was exposed to various styles of music.
Chuck Berry was a pioneering rock and roll singer, songwriter, and guitarist who influenced countless artists and genres with his distinctive style, lyrics, and stage presence. He was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where he began performing in clubs and recording for Chess Records.
Tina Turner is a legendary soul, rock, and pop singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to fame as part of the duo Ike & Tina Turner in the 1960s and 1970s. She was born in Nutbush, Tennessee, but moved to St. Louis, Missouri, when she was 16, where she met and married Ike Turner, who became her musical partner and abusive husband. She later embarked on a successful solo career and became one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Nelly is a rap and pop star who emerged in the early 2000s as one of the leading figures of the St. Louis hip hop scene. He is known for his catchy hooks, melodic flows, and crossover appeal. He has sold over 21 million albums in the US and won several awards, including four Grammys. He is also the founder of the hip hop group St. Lunatics and the clothing line Apple Bottoms.
Scott Joplin was a composer and pianist who is regarded as the king of ragtime, a genre of syncopated music that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He composed some of the most famous and influential ragtime pieces, such as The Entertainer, Maple Leaf Rag, and The St. Louis Rag. He lived and worked in St. Louis, Missouri, for several years, where he published and performed his music.